From Survival to Sustainability: How Community Enterprises are Redefining Conservation in Zambia
For decades, Elliot Mudenda of Nyawa Chiefdom in southern Zambia, like many rural Zambians, navigated a precarious existence. Recurring droughts rendered farming unreliable, pushing him towards hunting as a means of survival. But this path came with inherent risks – the dangers of the bush, the threat of legal repercussions, and a growing awareness of the unsustainable nature of his actions.
The Unsustainable Path: When Traditional Livelihoods Fail
Elliot’s story is a common one. Climate variability has dramatically impacted rain-fed agriculture across Zambia, forcing communities to seek alternative income sources. Hunting, while providing immediate sustenance, presented a long-term threat to both wildlife populations and the livelihoods of those who depended on them. He understood the need for change, stating he “never stopped caring about wildlife,” but survival demanded difficult choices.
A Modern Approach: Conservation Through Economic Opportunity
Today, Elliot is a member of the Sianyongo Fish Farming cooperative, managing fish ponds and contributing to a community-driven solution. This shift isn’t simply a change in occupation; it’s a testament to a growing understanding that conservation efforts must address the economic needs of local communities. The Sustainable Wildlife Management Program (SWM), funded by the European Union and implemented by the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and partners, operates on the principle that conservation cannot succeed where livelihoods fail.
Beyond Fish Ponds: Building Community Resilience
The SWM initiative in Nyawa Chiefdom extends beyond aquaculture. It has supported the development of nature-based enterprises like beekeeping and goat rearing. Crucially, the program has also invested in community infrastructure, including submersible pumps for pond management that also provide improved access to water – a resource previously requiring long journeys for many households. A livestock spray race, serving as both a disease prevention facility and a community enterprise, further strengthens local economic ownership.
The Governance Gap: From Support Recipients to Sustainable Businesses
Initial efforts revealed a critical challenge: many cooperatives functioned as recipients of aid rather than self-sustaining businesses. A lack of robust governance systems, financial discipline, and market orientation hindered their long-term viability. To address this, CIFOR-ICRAF partnered with Zambia’s Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development to deliver enterprise development training in Zimba District.
Empowering Communities Through Training
The training curriculum focuses on key business skills – development, value addition, marketing, financial management, and access to finance. The goal is to equip cooperatives with the tools to operate independently and become engines of local economic development. Social Safeguards Consultant Daniel Phiri emphasized the focus on “creating a change culture,” moving beyond short-term projects to build lasting sustainability.
Understanding Cooperative Governance
A key takeaway for cooperative members like Elliot has been a deeper understanding of cooperative governance. Prior to the training, many were unfamiliar with bylaws, leadership accountability, and member-driven decision-making. Improved governance is expected to lead to better performance and reduce the risk of members reverting to unsustainable practices.
The Future of Conservation: A Holistic Approach
The experience in Nyawa Chiefdom demonstrates that effective conservation requires a holistic approach. When communities have viable enterprises, access to markets, and essential business skills, the incentive to engage in illegal or unsustainable activities diminishes. Strong cooperatives foster local ownership, strengthen governance, and offer families the opportunity to plan for the future.
The SWM program plans to replicate the training model in Musokotwane Chiefdom, expanding its reach and impact.
Did you know?
The Sustainable Wildlife Management Program is active in 15 countries, working to balance conservation with the economic needs of local communities.
FAQ
- What is the Sustainable Wildlife Management Program? It’s an international initiative focused on enhancing wildlife conservation by supporting sustainable livelihoods in forest, savannah, and wetland ecosystems.
- Who funds the SWM program? The program is funded by the European Union, with co-funding from the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) and the French Development Agency (AFD).
- What kind of training is provided to cooperatives? Training covers business development, value addition, marketing, financial management, and access to finance.
Learn more about the Sustainable Wildlife Management Program: https://www.cifor-icraf.org/project/2bf83c58389946f9a41a06b7480273e4/